By IANS,
Hyderabad : Hours before the first phase of polling in Andhra Pradesh, sporadic incidents of violence took place Wednesday while police seized over Rs.30 million (Rs.3 crore) in cash at different places.
The opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leaders were attacked allegedly by the workers of the ruling Congress in Mahbubnagar and West Godavari districts. Congress and BJP workers clashed in Hyderabad.
Two people, including the TDP candidate from Kodangal assembly constituency in Mahbubnagar district Revant Reddy, were injured when they were attacked allegedly by Congress activists.
Two activists of the Congress were injured in the retaliation by Revant Reddy’s supporters.
TDP women’s wing leader N. Rajakumari suffered head injuries when unidentified people pelted stones at her during the campaigning in West Godavari district. She was rushed to a hospital.
In another incident, police used mild force to disperse Congress and BJP workers when they clashed in Banjara Hills area here. The groups clashed after Congress activists locked a house from outside alleging that some BJP workers inside were distributing money among voters.
Meanwhile, police seized over Rs.30 million (Rs.3 crore) in cash from different places in the state. This is the biggest seizure of cash in a single day so far.
Police seized Rs.13.9 million (Rs.1.39 crore) from a person in S.R. Nagar neighbourhood here. Police officials said the person failed to produce any proof of withdrawing the amount from a bank and they wre questioning him to ascertain if the money was being taken for distribution among voters.
Police also seized Rs.1.5 million (Rs.15 lakh) in cash at three places in Hyderabad. The state capital along with the rest of Telangana and north coastal Andhra is going to simultaneous polls to the state assembly and the Lok Sabha Thursday.
Police also seized Rs.15 million (Rs.1.5 crore) cash hidden in a cotton laden truck in Guntur district and arrested the truck driver.
A candidate of the Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) of superstar Chiranjeevi was arrested in Visakhapatnam and Rs.1.5 million was seized from him.
Police also recovered Rs.2 million worth of liquor in Karimnagar district.
Earlier, state chief electoral officer I.V. Subba Rao told reporters that so far Rs.262.2 million (Rs.26.22 crore) have been seized during the police searches across the state. Of this, Rs.44.7 million (Rs.4.47 crore) were returned after inquiry.
Various political parties are using cash and liquor to buy the votes a few hours before the polling. Some of them are also distributing cricket kits and mobile phones.